LAKE FOREST - If you're looking for some mean chili, a tamale or a juicy burger, your search ends here.
Original Tommy's has set up shop in Lake Forest, its first location in South County.
Nestled in the cul-de-sac between Rockfield Blvd and the I-5 freeway, the new Original Tommy's location off El Toro Road is done up in red brick with the signature, cursive "Tommy's" sign protruding from the roof.
The restaurant, with a drive-through, red and white booths inside and round, concrete tables outside, is open on Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
The eatery opened its doors to business on Monday, and already customers have been streaming in.
"The food here is great," said customer Annette Gonzalez. "I would recommend the tamales with cheese."
An Original Tommy's official said that the menu has been expanded for the first time in 32 years.
Vice President Robert Castaneda pointed to the breakfast burrito on the overhead menu, listed alongside burgers (double and triple) and chili, tamale, and fries options.
"We pride ourselves on fresh ingredients," Castaneda said. "A new chili batch is cooked two to three times a day, and new ingredients are sliced every other hour."
Besides the fresh food and family-oriented service, what's so special about Tommy and his chili?
An employee at the store, Jorge Rodriguez, put it this way:
"I have been with this company for 18 years. Tommy Koulax, the man who began this restaurant, had tradition in mind – the tradition of wholesome, good food for families to enjoy generation after generation."
The store is the fourth in Orange County, and the first in South County. With the opening of the Lake Forest store, the chain has 32 locations in California, with one other in Las Vegas.
The other OC locations are in La Habra, Westminster and Fountain Valley.
